This was one of my dad's favorite photos of us. Please help me honor his memory by bidding in the Books Fighting Cancer auctions.

Update: We’re still tallying the donations, but without including matching and direct donations, the auctions alone generated more than $4,000 for brain cancer research! I’ll include the grand total in Thursday’s Book Bits post. Thank you to all who donated, bid or shared the links. I’m amazed by your generosity.

This is my first Father’s Day without my dad. I spent quite a bit of time trying to think of the best thing to do — the right way to mourn — and then it hit me: My dad wasn’t one for wallowing. He would want me to be doing something fun and worthwhile this Father’s Day. And so, Books Fighting Cancer was born. (JUMP TO THE AUCTIONS)

I’ve decided to use VBC this weekend to raise money for the Barrow Neurological Institute. They research brain cancer, especially the most aggressive and uncommon types. Their research and experimental medicines managed to extend my dad’s life much longer than expected and improve his quality of life early on. While they weren’t able to slow his cancer or save his life, they do amazing work. They just don’t know enough yet to be able to stop brain cancer.

This is additionally appropriate as my father became an avid reader after his first rounds of brain surgeries. He dabbled with some Charlaine Harris books and then became entirely addicted to Janet Evanovich’s novels. My dad was a Navy man, but he sure chuckled his way through all 18 of the Stephanie Plum books.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The plan is to do this two ways. First, I’m going to donate all Amazon affiliate commissions (it’s about 7 percent) generated via VBC links — like this one — through next Saturday, June 23, to the Barrow Center. (Usually, I use all money from the Amazon commissions to cover website hosting costs and giveaways. It all gets funneled back into the site.) This means any link that says “Amazon” on VBC — generally at the top of reviews — will take you to Amazon and anything you purchase on that visit will kick back 7 percent to us. All that money this week is going to Barrow. I suggest loading up your Kindle with everything on our Recommendations section. (You can, of course, also donate directly to Barrow.)

The second part is the auctions. I have been blessed to have some very generous friends, who just happen to be your favorite authors. Authors, jewelers, a couple readers and even an actress we all adore offered up amazing donations to help raise money to fight brain cancer. This is your chance at limited-edition, signed and advance books from your favorite authors — or to be in their next book!

BOOKS FIGHTING CANCER AUCTIONS

All auctions will remain open until 11:59 p.m. CST on Saturday, June 23. Click the links below to view the auction, get details on bidding and, of course, stake your claim on the great prizes.

16 Responses to “Books Fighting Cancer Charity Auctions”

I’m so sorry you lost your dad. The picture of the two of you is lovely, the pride and love showing on his face is obvious. I’ll certainly contribute to Books Fighting Cancer in any way I can, starting by heading over to your recommendations section!

I’ll definitely be bidding. My MIL passed away last year from a malignant brain tumor, a disease with very poor survival rates. We’ve also learned from this that my husband has a somewhat elevated risk of also getting one due to a hereditary condition, so this is a very important cause to me. Thanks for putting together this great auction, and my deepest sympathies on the loss of your dad.

I think this was a great way to honor your dad. As a medical researcher, I can tell you that the funds that are donated help tremendously. Research is very expensive, and with charity donations like this one, I think we all will move toward a future with better treatments for our loved ones. Great work. =)

Hi Chelsea,
What a lovely way to honour your Dad. My Dad was staying with me last week when I read your tribute – and we were both reading Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels and cackling. I gave my Dad the first one a few years ago after heart surgery – not the best thing when you have a chest wound and laughing hurts! But he had nurses borrowing them because he laughed so much. I’m glad your Dad loved them too.

This is a great idea. I am glad you raised that much money towards research. Try to use Biddingowl.com for your next auction. It’s a free auction management tool and people can bid on your own Vampire Book Club Auction webpage.

That’s great.. your information is very informative for me..I’ve tried to stay positive, and the reason I’ve been able to stay positive and strong is because there are so many people that stand behind me.